Medway Labour speak about Thames Estuary airport at conference

03 October 2012

by Alan
McGuinness

Medway Labour politicians have
spoken out against the idea of a Thames Estuary airport at their
party’s conference.

All three of the Towns’
constituency associations – Chatham and Aylesford, Gillingham and
Rainham and Rochester and Strood – raised urgent motions on the
issue, and these gained support from 40 fellow constituency parties
around the country.

The party leader Cllr Vince Maple
spoke at an event on the fringes of the conference in Manchester,
where he raised concerns about the impact of any airport on the
Towns.

He said: "Today sends another clear
message that the Labour Party both locally and nationally is
absolutely opposed to any airport in the Estuary.

"It was great to hear people from
around the country supporting use of existing airport capacity and
developing better links between airports as a much more acceptable
way forward."

Cllr Tristan Osborne, who
represents Luton and Wayfield, spoke on the main stage on
Monday.

He called on the Towns’ three
Conservative MPs to speak out against the idea at their own party’s
conference next week.

He said: "They have an opportunity
to challenge this proposal head on at Conservative conference; will
they do the right thing next week or shirk their duty to our
residents?"

Tracey Crouch, Mark Reckless and
Rehman Chishti are also opposed to the idea, along with Medway
Council and the RSPB.

They claim it will cost too much
money and cause huge environmental damage. Supporters counter that
it would bring investment and jobs.

A commission has been set up to
find what would be the best option for expanding the UK’s aviation
capacity. It is due to report in 2015.